Birthday Gift

Very much agree with Brian's 2nd paragraph.

We found a set of knives by Forschner Victorinox - made in Switzerland - top rated by Cooks Illustrated - AND an amazing value (ie, not the crazy expensive prices that you see elsewhere). the bonus was a "free" Victorinox swiss army knife. Got that deal through cutlery and more website at
http://www.cutleryandmore.com/forschner_knives.htm?src=Google&cam=Forschner&sub=Forschner&kw=forschner
We love them. Cooks rated Forschner's chef's knife number one, and at $24.95, far far far below the price of the other highly rated ones - up to $175 - gasp.

Also purchased a smaller size santoku knife on sale at Macy's (and with the Macy's sale coupon on top of that, not too too expensive) by Henckel that I love. Recommend at least one santoku knife.

I have one Cutco knife (the cheese knife - very nice) though I don't think there is a single thing about cutco that merits their over the top prices. But then I'm getting cheap in my advancing years and not too willing to pay for marketing.

Forschner did the trick for us at a great price - I cook a LOT and have arthritis in my small hands. Still love our set after a couple of years and would buy it again.

Patrick,
no matter what size or style cutting board/s you get, make sure they are hardwood. Better for knives, but more importantly, they are actually cleaner than other boards- they inhibit bacterial growth. And good ones last as long as good knives: I have two I got for wedding presents 30 years ago. I use one for veg and the other for meats. No problems cleaning. You can use a mild soap sparingly, with hot water, and air dry; I usually just rinse the veg board with hot water. Lemon juice gets rid of bad or too much food odor. If the board gets dry, rub it down with canola oil and wipe off excess, but I've only had to do this once.

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Bought my son a starter knife set this summer, not very expensive but not the cheapest, either. He's in grad school but has never had to cook for himself before now. He swears by the santoku knife.

Dana

SHUN! Absolutely love mine.